URGENT UPDATE: Public hospitals in Australia are experiencing a significant surge in elective surgeries, with 791,000 admissions projected for the 2024–25 year. This marks a substantial increase from 712,000 admissions just a decade ago, according to new data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The AIHW’s latest report reveals that elective eye surgeries, particularly cataract procedures, are leading this trend, with 88,000 admissions recorded, up from 84,000 in 2023–24. “Half of these patients were admitted within 106 days, a significant decrease from 189 days last year,” stated AIHW spokesperson Clara Jellie.
In a noteworthy detail, the report shows that 50% of patients were admitted from waiting lists within 45 days, a figure consistent with the previous year’s average of 46 days. However, the data also indicates that 6% of patients are still waiting over a year for elective procedures, raising concerns about long wait times.
The report highlights the pressing need for efficient healthcare management, as emergency departments (ED) also faced increased demand. 9.1 million presentations were recorded across public hospitals in 2024–25, resulting in a rate of 328 presentations per 1,000 population, a rise from 7.6 million presentations and a rate of 316 in 2015–16.
Despite these alarming figures, Jellie noted that 50% of patients were seen within 18 minutes upon arrival at EDs, which mirrors last year’s performance. However, 10% of patients waited longer than 1 hour and 58 minutes for initial assessment, underscoring the strain on hospital resources.
More than half of ED patients—53%—had their care completed within four hours, down slightly from 55% in 2023–24. Among those subsequently admitted to the same hospital, 30% were treated within this timeframe.
The demographic data from the report reveals that males accounted for 49% of ED presentations, with young children (ages 4 and under) making up 10% and seniors (ages 65 and over) accounting for 24% of all cases. Notably, 52% of elderly patients admitted to EDs were subsequently hospitalized, compared to just 30% for the general patient population.
As the demand for elective surgeries and emergency care continues to rise, the AIHW’s findings call for urgent attention to healthcare policies and resource allocation. The information highlights the critical need for timely care in public hospitals, especially as the healthcare landscape evolves in response to increasing patient needs.
Stay tuned for more updates as authorities assess the implications of these findings on public health policies across Australia.
